Google Voice released for Android and BlackBerry, but not iPhone

Google has released its mobile Voice application for the Android and BlackBerry platforms, but future release of the program on the iPhone will depend on acceptance from Apple and perhaps AT&T.

While iPhone users can currently access Google Voice from the Safari browser, what Android and BlackBerry users received Wednesday was a full-fledged independent application that allows users to make calls, send text messages and check voicemail through their separate Google-provided phone number.

Google would like to release an iPhone version of the application, and is "working with Apple" to do so, according to the New York Times.

One unique element Google is touting is the ability to make international calls at a reduced rate. It also allows for text messages to be sent and received for free through the number, also bypassing the cell phone carrier. Google Voice also transcribes voicemails and reads numbers from the smartphone's phonebook.

These capabilities led Wired to speculate that AT&T and Apple could "cripple" a Google Voice iPhone application. It cites the fact that both companies have blocked video applications and forced Skype to nix a feature allowing free phone calls via the phone's data plan.

The new application addresses one crucial problem with Google Voice: While someone might be able to call a user at their Google Voice number, they would likely receive a return call from the cell, home or office number where the person is available. Through the new program, the outgoing call will now appear as the Google Voice number.

Originally called Grand Central, Google Voice is a service that allows consumers to control a variety of phone numbers via one, centralized number. Through the configurable service, calls can be forwarded to or from any phone number and multiple phones can ring at once.

A blog post announcing the release of Google Voice simply said: "Before you ask, yes, we are working on ways to make this service available to iPhone users."

Now that the app store has serious competition (yes, google pushing an app that seamlessly replaces your dialer and allows placing international calls at reduced rates is competition) we will have some transparency in the limitations of the Apple/ATT lockdown.

Hi Folks,
maybe I'm missing something here?
I have an iPhone 3GS and am using Google Voice.
Everything works fine

Yes, you're missing something. If you call someone's landline from your iPhone -AND you want the call to show as coming from Google Voice - you need to call into Google Voice first, and then dial the number you want to call. Or use a web interface to initiate the call. A Google Voice application would most likely skip the step of having to call your GV number first or making you navigate to a web page.

On the plus side - if you're calling a friend on their mobile there's a way to dial them directly, and have the call look like it's coming from your GV number. Just direct dial the 406 area code number GV has assigned to your friend's mobile number. How do you know the 406 number? Ask your friend to text you at your GV number and you'll see it. Now you can use that 406 number to direct dial from the phones tied to your GV account. The recipient sees the callerID as your GV number.

The other thing you're missing: Sending an SMS from your GV number on the iPhone means you have to go into the web interface for GV. Here again the Google Voice app might be more convenient.

I think there is much ado about nothing here to be honest, there are already 2 apps in the app store that are designed for google voice called GV mobile and voicestation if Im not mistaken that handle all of google voice features. Granted these are made by companies other than google but if they have been in the app store for months with multiple updates without incident I dont see why google would have trouble and even further google has been known to have a little more leverage with apple since their search app utilized unpublished APIs when it was initially released.\

I just received an invitation last night, will this always be free? I don't think att is feeling the free sms feature, if they released an app with push notifications consumers could save up to 20 bucks a month.

I appreciate learning about what I'm missing. Thanks for the info.
I agree an App would be nice.
fingers crossed

If you picture the app as looking just like the regular phone interface on your iPhone you can see why AT&T would be threatened. And if SMS is built in there's little reason to pay $20 a month to AT&T. The possibility of losing all those twenty dollar bills every month is probably more than AT&T can deal with.

If you picture the app as looking just like the regular phone interface on your iPhone you can see why AT&T would be threatened. And if SMS is built in there's little reason to pay $20 a month to AT&T. The possibility of losing all those twenty dollar bills every month is probably more than AT&T can deal with.

I'm just happy to have a NYC area code back for my consulting up there, even though I live in the south now.

Also nce to have a number for strangers and BS phone requirements when registering from sites.